Ah yes, it’s that time of year. Advertisements for roses, chocolates and heart-shaped balloons have reached their peak – Valentine’s Day is well and truly upon us.
While I’m all for the romance, I am far more interested in talking about the relationship between alcohol and libido, and what, if any, drinks we can use to further “enhance” an evening on top of the fancy meal you’ve surely already made a reservation for. But first, let’s dive into the science.
Alcohol, in small amounts, can increase sexual desire by stimulating the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that regulates your body temperature, hormone levels and libido, among other things. And this can lead to a heightened sex drive by the same mechanism that can make your body feel all hot and flustered.
At the same time, your frontal lobes – the part of the brain responsible for thought, memory and judgment – are impaired. This lowers one’s inhibitions, which can present as confidence and spontaneity.
The brain’s reward circuits are also flooded with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that, in simple terms, makes you feel euphoric and “buzzed”.
All these chemical reactions sound like a tipple can lead to a pretty steamy night, but the question remains: is there a particular spirit or cocktail that is an especially potent aphrodisiac to maximise these effects?
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While I’m sad to report there is no proverbial “love potion”, there are some theories that can help with your drink selection this Valentine’s Day – or on any date night, for that matter.
Women tend to be aroused by aromas of earth, wood, musk and licorice, while men tend to get turned on by scents of caramel, butter, orange, baking spices and vanilla. A quick flip through some spirit tasting notes would lead me to select an earthy mescal for the ladies, and a hearty bourbon for the gents.
We can also prescribe according to the tone you’re hoping to set for the night. For a romantic night, in when you want to sink into a sofa and whisper sweet nothings in one another’s ears, a cognac might fit the bill as a relaxant and it’s a drink that rarely fails to suit the mood as you wind down after a long day.
Have something spicier in mind in terms of a night out (or night in)? It’s time to whip out some tequila, which is a stimulant by association. The almost Pavlovian response we have to tequila and wild times can raise our heart rates and get the blood flowing to all the right places.
As for cocktails, keep your eyes out for ingredients historically believed to possess Aphrodite’s powers – chocolate, ginger, figs, hot chilli, cinnamon, vanilla, pomegranate and honey. Think spicy margaritas with chilli, gingery Moscow Mules, Bee’s Knees using honey, and decadent chocolate martinis.
Now, I can’t leave you without the fine-print warning – best summed up in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “It provokes, and unprovokes: it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.” Too much of a good thing depresses your central nervous system and can lead to, ahem, dysfunctions – interfering with erection, lubrication and the ability to reach climax.
So, remember to imbibe in moderation, and to splurge on the good stuff! He/she/they deserves it.
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